Raised by Jill P.
Certified Breeder of Miniature American Shepherds and Miniature Australian Shepherds
I'm the breeder behind Faithwalk Aussies and Mini American Shepherds located in Hillsdale, MI. My Aussies and Miniature American Shepherds are an integral part of the family and I strive to give them an excellent quality of life, with optimal diet and health care, lots of fun doggy things to do, and plenty of individual attention See details of my dogs' health testing on my site and OFA.
About Jill
My love of animals and fascination with their behavior, ethology and such began at a very young age. I can't remember a time I was not drawn to animals and wanted to understand them better. Thankfully I grew up in an "outdoorsy" family so many weekends were spent camping, hiking, fishing and traveling the great outdoors. We always had the normal family pets of dogs and cats, and often some local wild stuff like snakes, turtles and animals like that. I would find injured birds and bring them home to help them get better. I was successful much of the time and that was the start of my learning.
What makes Jill’s program special
I am extremely selective in choosing a dog for a potential breeding, as I have high standards. Since my dogs live with us as family members, I get to know their personalities quite well, and this gives me more insight into what kinds of temperaments they may pass on to their puppies. I find people keeping dogs in kennels may never really get to know their dogs the same way, as they don't see them in normal daily activities at home and in public. Our dogs are out in public with us often, and that not only enriches their lives, but shows me how they can relate to a wide variety of people, animals and situations. All this is very important to me. While I don't focus on just producing Aussies for one purpose (showing, agility, working livestock), I do want dogs that may have the potential to do those things. My first priority is producing healthy, sound dogs that are a joy to live with in daily life, since that is how we spend much of our time with the dogs. Having a dog that succeeds in activities but is unpleasant to be around the rest of the time is not fun.
Jill is a member of a club
Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA
Jill’s certifications & recognitions
CHIC Certified, Puppy Culture Breeder
Jill has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Puppy prices range from $1,800 - $2,000 and include a deposit of $300.
“Over all our pups are priced based on show prospect or companion We put the same care into each puppy and also work to match you with a puppy that will fit your lifestyle. sometimes refundable, depending on circumstances.”
Jill may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Jill offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jill directly.
We follow a modified version of Puppy Culture to raise our puppies. Puppy Culture is a birth to 12 week program with age appropriate exercises that helps puppies develop confidence and impulse control, become desensitized to sounds reducing the risk of noise phobias later, and teach them a lifelong love of learning. It helps us help our puppies reach their full potential. It empowers us as owners by giving us a much more deep and accurate understanding of puppy development, including how they view the world, and gives us the right knowledge and tools to help raise our puppies well. It's passive and active enrichment, and while it can take some time, the time is so well spent at this age. We can be advocates for our puppies as we start taking them out in the world too, so others are not doing things that can undermine the strong foundation we start. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Socialized with other dogs, Daily handling, Scent introduction, Surface & tactile stimulation, Car rides, Various sounds, Problem Solving Skills, We practice Puppy Culture, a program that conditions your puppy with early neurological stimulation and socializing techniques that reduce stress and fear for the development of a healthy, happy puppy, bite inhibition, start of impulse control, adventure box, Texture Stimulation, Outdoors, e.g. rain, Different Textures, grooming , "Puppy Call" Recall , Human Interactions, surface and tactile stimulation, Confidence Building, Weekly Nail Trims , Noise desensitization, Potty Training, Structures, e.g. Climbing, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Basic manners, Puppy Culture , Puppy Manners, Impulse Control, Human Interactions , Sound Stimulation, Grooming Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Early Neurological Stimulation, Noise desensitized , Various Surfaces , Touch Desensitization, Toys, e.g. Ball, and Scents.
I use the Duramune Max 5 for vaccines. The vaccine formula I typically use includes protection from Parvo, Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, and Parainfluenza. I also start the pups' vaccinations a little later than some, at about 7.5 weeks. I recommend boosters every 4 weeks until they have had a total of 3 of the combo vaccinations. They are vet checked, dewormed and started in Interceptor Plus.
We send our puppies home with Initial potty training, Puppy starter kit, Toys, Food & treats, Vet records, Registration, Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, Sound and texture enrichment, Early Neurological Stimulation, AKC Registration, Certificate of Health, Food Starter Bag, Probiotics, Educational Information, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Parent Health Certifications, and Vaccinations.
Jill offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
“If possible, I prefer that they come to my home and meet the parents at some point prior to purchase. I also require pups are picked up at my house. People can fly or drive in to pick up.”
Why Jill started breeding
As a teen I volunteered at a large zoo, and later worked in a couple pet stores with exotic birds and reptiles, and then spent almost 20 years workings hands on with wolves in captive situations in licensed facilities. I rubbed elbows with wild wolf researchers and those working with other captive wildlife big and small. My early interest in big cats became a lifelong passion for canids and their behavior and that has been the focus of my life. I raised and trained a sled dog team that I ran all over this part of the country, and later fell in love with the Australian Shepherd after rescuing one. It was in living with and working with the wolves that I realized how critical quality of life and enrichment is for all animals, captive wildlife and domestic animals.
Jill is a Preferred Good Dog Breeder
Preferred Breeders are recognized for their quick replies and exceptional buyer support.
Jill has been a member of Good Dog for over 6 years
Jill was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2018.
Jill’s program includes eight colors
Jill’s Miniature American Shepherd puppies include red, black, blue merle, and red merle. Jill’s Miniature Australian Shepherd puppies include red tri, red merle, blue merle, and black tri. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Faithwalk Aussies and Mini American Shepherds meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
All breeds
Miniature American Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd
About Journey
Journey is a funny little girl. She's 14.5" and very stocky, great type. Both parents are Grand Champions. Her sire was bred by me and his is in AKC, her dam's is in CKC (Canadian Kennel Club.)
Miniature American Shepherd
About Liberty
Liberty is a silly, active, social girl who keeps us laughing at her antics.
Miniature American Shepherd
About Alyeska
Alyeska is a sweet, kind hearted dog who is a joy to live with. She's biddable and though she didn't grow up with children, she seeks them out. She is about 14" and 16 lbs.
Miniature American Shepherd
About Scout
Scout is a sweet, thoughtful, laid back boy who is a joy to live with. He gets along well with my other dogs, and enjoys visitors. He's 14.5" at the withers.
Miniature American Shepherd
About Mattie
Mattie is a lovely, typey home bred girl who I am thrilled to have. She's 16" and around 28 lbs. She's got a great off button and is very biddable.
Miniature American Shepherd
About Lyra
Lyra is a sweet, lower drive girl who has never met a stranger. She's a joy to live with, gets along with everyone and everything. Now spayed, she'll live out her life with us.
Miniature American Shepherd
Excellent level
Faithwalk Aussies and Mini American Shepherds reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Miniature American Shepherds.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Chondrodystrophy (CDDY and IVDD Risk) with or without Chondrodysplasia (CDPA), Animal Genetics Panel, Chondrodystrophy and IVDD Risk (CDDY-IVDD), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Hyperuricosuria (HUU), Multifocal Retinopathy 1 (CMR1), Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1), Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataracts (HC; JC), Hereditary (Juvenile) Cataracts (HC; JC), Australian Shepherd Type
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).